Whether you have one of those large kitchens with giant windows begging for built-in seating, or a strangely small corner in your rental where you can simply throw a bench and a small table, a kitchen nook can make a warm and inviting corner of the home for creating a happy place to relax or host small gatherings.

If you are a renter, especially in New York where many old buildings have been remodeled in odd ways, you’ve inevitably lived in or come across a space in your search for an apartment that seems strangely small. Keep in mind the kitchen nook! Drop a pendant lamp, throw down some pillows and pull up a chair. The kitchen nook is the perfect place to create a cozy corner for hosting wine and cheese nights, playing cards, or just reading the morning paper.